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Former NIA financial director testifies in D1.6m saga

Dec 17, 2009, 12:21 PM | Article By: Malamin Conteh

The former Finance Director of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mr. Bakary Gassama, has on 14th December 2009, testified in the ongoing 1.6 million NIA saga involving Mr. Demba Sowe and Babucarr Jallow, at the Bundung Magistrates' Court.

Mr. Gassama who testified as Defence Witness 4, told the court that he has something to do with the second accused Babucarr Jallow.

According to him, sometime between February and March 2009, Mr. Jallow came to his office with an amount of D51, 298 for safe-keeping, being monies recovered from a case Jallow was investigating.

He stated that after sometime he was called to hand over his office and responsibilities during which the said amount of D51, 298 was also handed over to one Mr. Lamin Hydara, the current Accountant at the NIA for safe-keeping, on behalf of the NIA.

According to him, he ran the financial department for the agency, and was also the Purchasing Officer, as well as the Procurement Officer. He said he was also in charge of payment of salaries and allowances, logistics and maintenance.

He told the court that the Financial Director normally keeps monies recovered from investigations. He told the court that the said amount was said to be one of those as, according to him, it was recovered from one Christopher Badjie.

Magistrate Olajabutu Kayode made an order for Mamodou Ceesay of the NIA to appear in court to give evidence, following an application made by the Defence Counsel, Lamin Camara.

The case continues.